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Protesters block impeachment vote on mayor over fatal fire

November 13, 2005|By Items compiled from Tribune news services.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — Protesters swarmed into the city legislature Friday and blocked lawmakers from voting on whether to seek their mayor's impeachment for a 2004 nightclub fire that claimed 194 lives.

Relatives of victims have said the mayor, Anibl Ibarra, should be held directly accountable for the Dec. 30, 2004, blaze at a downtown nightclub, claiming his administration was responsible for regulating nightclub safety.

Ibarra has acknowledged possible city code violations but denied direct responsibility. The fire at an indoor rock concert smothered clubgoers with asphyxiating smoke. Investigators have charged that exits were blocked or locked.